A seasoned entertainer with experience in the professional music industry, producer, songwriter, and entertainer, Cannon feels that he has been "at one with music all his life". Born in WASHINGTON, D.C. his love for music, like so many others, began at a very young age. Cannon says, "Some how the spirit in the music moved me" From there he participated in any and every activity that involved music. No one knew, as he naively explained to his mother, "I can't help it, It's in my head." that this was a success story in the in the making.
Recognizing his natural talent with rhythms and sounds, Cannon's parents began to encourage him to pursue his gift. Thus he began his professional musical quest by collecting instruments from buckets to drums. He went on to form rock bands, jazz bands to Go-Go band. He joined the jazz ensemble in High School. That is where he met his soon to be partners of the R & B trio "ASHANTE". Cannon's contributions as producer, songwriter, and vocalist, helped establish the group's popular reputation of just the right soulful and harmonic blend. The trio preformed at Harlem's Legendary Apollo Theater, and at Club Crystal in Queens, NY and Sweet Waters in Manhattan, NY. Compared to legendary groups such as the Whispers and Temptations, and, contemporary groups like Boys II Men and Jodeci. Ashante opened for Crystal Water's on the WBLS stage at Queens Day Festival and appeared in the 1994 Jones Beach Greek Festival. Unfortunately, the group went their separate ways, in the fall of 1995.With the diverse experience from his past, a new vision for his future and inspired by a wide range of producers, Cannon decided to follow his first love and emerged himself in music production. With great confidence in his skills, he has composed for up and coming local artist and established performers. The first to tell you he "lives " his music, Cannon's journey affords him the capability to relate and interact with people from all walks of life, especially musically. The diversity of his upbringing and his life experiences is manifested in his music. He has the ability to go from Gospel, to Rock, Hip-Hop to Jazz, to R&B and not miss a beat, literally. Ironically enough though, he has never formally studied music or any instrument outside of the alto saxophone during Elementary School. Yet he can listen to music and mimic it on any instrument as well as come up with his own arrangements. That is only the beginning of this young man's talent. Combined with his charm and charisma he slyly seduces his audience and takes them where he wants them to go. The stage is simply another arena where he expresses his love for his craft. Cannon has worked with recording artist in the D.C metropolitan area and is currently CEO of Cannon Music, Inc an Entertainment Company / Independent Record Label / Multi Media Production Company in the Washington D.C, surrounding areas. Providing quality music entertainment to the community, he has been called upon by many organizations. The Urban League and the New York State Office of General Services special events office to lend his expertise to events like the Empire State Plaza Apollo Night, The First Annual Asiatic Rise Festival, and The Empire State African-American Cultural Festival, to name a few. There is no doubt that Shawn Cannon will be seen throughout the music industry lending his many talents to creating stars, as well as, becoming a "MAJOR" star himself.
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